CVE-2020-5721 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Learn about CVE-2020-5721 affecting MikroTik WinBox 3.22 and below. Discover the impact, affected systems, exploitation, and mitigation steps to secure your router.
MikroTik WinBox 3.22 and below stores the user's cleartext password in the configuration file, posing a security risk.
Understanding CVE-2020-5721
MikroTik WinBox vulnerability allows attackers to extract passwords from the configuration file.
What is CVE-2020-5721?
MikroTik WinBox version 3.22 and below saves passwords in cleartext in the settings.cfg.viw file, enabling unauthorized access.
The Impact of CVE-2020-5721
This vulnerability allows malicious actors to retrieve usernames and passwords, compromising router security.
Technical Details of CVE-2020-5721
MikroTik WinBox vulnerability details and affected systems.
Vulnerability Description
- Cleartext password storage in settings.cfg.viw file
- Default settings enable password extraction
Affected Systems and Versions
- Product: MikroTik WinBox
- Versions: 3.22 and below
Exploitation Mechanism
- Attacker gains access to configuration file
- Extracts username and password for unauthorized router access
Mitigation and Prevention
Protecting systems from CVE-2020-5721.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Disable 'Keep Password' feature
- Set a Master Password
- Monitor configuration file access
Long-Term Security Practices
- Regularly update MikroTik WinBox software
- Implement strong password policies
Patching and Updates
- Apply patches provided by MikroTik to address the vulnerability